Board of Directors

Donald Brown

Donald Brown is Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of NiSource Inc. He is responsible for the company’s corporate finance, treasury, accounting, tax, investor relations, financial planning, and corporate planning functions. Brown joined NiSource in April 2015 as an Executive Vice President in the finance department, and became Chief Financial Officer upon the separation of Columbia Pipeline Group from NiSource on July 1, 2015.

He has nearly 20 years of experience, including financial leadership and consulting roles at UGI Utilities, Constellation New Energy, Progress Energy and Deloitte. Brown holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, and a bachelor’s degree in economics with a concentration in accounting from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Stuart Burgdoerfer

Stuart Burgdoerfer currently holds the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for L Brands. He has responsibility for all brand and function finance activities, which includes Financial Planning and Analysis, Control, Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Audit, Tax and Treasury.

Prior to returning to L Brands, Stuart spent approximately two years as Senior Vice President of Finance for The Home Depot where he provided finance leadership for the sourcing, logistics, merchandising, marketing and e-commerce activities for the company’s $70 billion U.S. retail business. In his previous six-years of service with L Brands, Stuart served as Senior Vice President of Finance, as well as Corporate Controller. Prior to that, Stuart was the Chief Financial Officer for White Barn Candle Company. Stuart began his L Brands career as a Vice President in Financial Planning. Stuart came to L Brands from PepsiCo subsidiary Pizza Hut, and was a management consultant with CSC Index, and practiced as an audit manager and CPA with Deloitte and Touche.

Stuart holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Indiana University, and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Stuart previously served as a member of the Board of Directors for Galyan’s Trading Company, and the Board of Trustees for Spelman College. Stuart is currently a member of the Progressive Corporation Board of Directors.

Joe Chlapaty

Joe Chlapaty is the President & CEO of Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. He has served with ADS since 1980. He is deeply committed to serving our community and is passionate about education. Besides serving with KIPP Columbus, he is on the Board of Directors at the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, Marietta College, and the University of Dubuque. He also serves on the Board of Directors at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and most recently with Lutheran Social Services.

Michael B. Coleman

Michael B. Coleman is a partner and member of Ice Miller’s Public Affairs and Government Law Groups, and serves as the firm’s Director of Business and Government Strategies. Michael draws upon his experience as Mayor and Chief Executive Officer for the City of Columbus to guide clients through the challenges and opportunities of creating partnerships between business and government.

Mr. Coleman served as Mayor of Columbus, Ohio from 2000 – 2015. As Mayor, he built Columbus’ reputation as one of the best cities in the nation by building stronger, safer neighborhoods, creating jobs and maintaining a high quality of life. Columbus is the 15th largest city in the nation, the largest city in Ohio and the fastest growing city in the Midwest. Mr. Coleman was the longest ­serving mayor in Columbus history and the longest­ serving incumbent African­ American mayor among major U.S. cities.

Mr. Coleman also served as City Council President for the City of Columbus, Ohio from 1997 – 1999 and as a member of City Council from 1992 – 1999. Early in his career, he was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Ohio. He also served as a Legislative Assistant for two years before joining SZD as an Associate in 1984. He has been recognized as a national leader by numerous media sources, including Time Magazine, the New York Times, the Columbus Dispatch, and Yahoo News. He earned EBONY magazine’s Power 100 designation for being one of the most influential and intriguing African Americans in the country, and was recognized by Government Technology magazine as one of the Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers. Mr. Coleman was also critically involved in the effort which ultimately earned the City of Columbus the designation as the Most Intelligent Community in the World by the Intelligent Community Forum.

He earned his law degree from the University of Dayton Law School and a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Cincinnati.

Jami Dewolf

Jami is currently the Chief Marketing Officer at Alliance Data - leading all marketing initiatives across Alliance Data's services business, overseeing brand marketing, customer insights and analytics, product strategy and digital marketing. She also manages innovation and new-market initiatives to drive new growth areas for the business.

Jami has more than 25 years experience leading enterprise strategy and integration, new business development, operations, and customer marketing. She spent 15 years with Victoria's Secret, most recently serving as the executive vice president of brand strategy and integration. Prior to joining Victoria's Secret, she held a variety of leadership roles with Nabisco and PepsiCo.

Jami sits on the Board of Trustees of Columbus State and the Board of Directors at KIPP Columbus. She is on the Leadership Council at The Church of the Messiah in Westerville, Ohio. She has continued her education through the business schools at Harvard University and Columbia University.

Denise Glimcher

Denise Glimcher is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She received her degree in Child Development and Family Relations from the University of Arizona. Mrs. Glimcher moved to Columbus in 1993 and enrolled at Capital University for her teaching certification in K-8, Reading and Learning Disabilities. She currently works at Columbus School for Girls as a substitute teacher and tutors KIPP students in reading once a week. Mrs. Glimcher previously served on the Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio Board of Directors, The Columbus Jewish Community Center Board of Directors, and Columbus School for Girls Board of Directors. Mrs. Glimcher is also a Columbus Wexner Heritage member.

Mitch Grindley

Mitch Grindley is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Plaskolite, Inc. Mitch has worked for Plaskolite for 34 years, starting right out of college in 1981 as a Sales Representative. In 1985, he was promoted to Vice President of Sales. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1991. Under his tenure, Plaskolite has become the largest manufacturer of acrylic sheet in North America, and second worldwide.

Mitch is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. Mitch and his wife, Christine, have three grown children and are involved with, Christ Child and Faith Mission, an organization that is focused on the homeless of Central Ohio. In 2012, Mitch was appointed by Governor, John Kasich to represent Business on the Public Utility Board. The Governor has since put him on the Board of Ohio Venture CapitalAuthority.

Katie Kaufman

Katie Kaufman attended Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana (1989-1993) where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in English. Immediately following, she attended Capital University in Columbus, Ohio where she obtained her teaching certification. Mrs. Kaufman taught for eight years in the Hilliard City Schools at Norwich Elementary, a multi-age magnet school. Her classroom was comprised of a diverse group of second and third graders where she practiced integrated and differentiated curriculum. Mrs. Kaufman also served as a Learning Disabilities tutor at Brown Elementary in the Hilliard City School District. In addition, she has tutored students privately focusing on various specific learning disabilities.

Aimee Kennedy

Aimee Kennedy is Vice President for Education, STEM Learning and Philanthropy at Battelle. She directs Battelle’s efforts to foster innovative schools that prepare students for tomorrow’s career and college environment. Founded on the conviction that rigorous, hands-on learning should be available to every child, these efforts include Metro Early College, the Ohio STEM Learning Network, and the national STEMx network. Previously, Aimee was the Chief Academic Officer for Metro Early College. She first joined the school in 2007 as a classroom teacher. Aimee earned a bachelor’s degree from Malone College in Communications, a master’s degree in Education from the University of Akron, and holds a PhD in Education Administration at The Ohio State University.

John Kobacker

John Kobacker is President and CEO of the Marlenko Group, Inc., a third generation family holding company. Mr. Kobacker was born in Toledo, Ohio. He majored in marketing and finance at The Ohio State University and graduated with a BSBA. From 1976 to 1987, Mr. Kobacker worked in his family’s shoe business as President and Chief Operating Officer of the 725-store chain. In 1994, Mr. Kobacker oversaw the sale of the company to Payless ShoeSource, then a division of Macy’s Department Stores. The family also owned several apartment complexes that were sold in 1997. In 1998, Kobacker turned his attention to the responsibilities of managing his family’s assets that include more than fifteen investment and real estate companies.

Mr. Kobacker is a member of the World President’s Organization and sits on several for-profit boards. In the past, he has served on other non-profit boards including The Wexner Center Foundation, Columbus College of Art & Design, The Columbus Symphony, The Center of Science and Industry, Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Judge Algenon L. Marbley, Chair

Recommended to President Clinton by Senator John Glenn, Judge Algenon L. Marbley was appointed United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division at Columbus in November 1997. Prior to being sworn in, Judge Marbley was a partner with the law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP. Judge Marbley is involved with the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters Association, Children’s Hospital, Franklin County Children Services and Project Linden, Inc.

Dr. Amy McClure

Dr. McClure was a recipient of Ohio Wesleyan University’s Bishop Herbert Welch Meritorious Teaching Award, and has been honored as an Outstanding English Educator by the Ohio Teachers of English Language Arts. She is especially interested in reading, children’s literature (particularly poetry and historical fiction), excellence in elementary teaching, and special education. She was chosen as the Outstanding Young Researcher in the country by the National Council of Teachers of English, and has presented papers at numerous national meetings of professional organizations. Dr. McClure has published six books, including two textbooks on teaching children’s literature, and is currently writing a book on children’s literature and the national Common Core Standards. Her other publications include numerous articles and book chapters on using literature in the teaching of reading. She is the past president of the Children’s Literature Assembly, Children’s Literature Board of the International Reading Association, the Ohio International Reading Association, and the Ohio Association of Private Colleges of Teacher Education. She is President of the Ohio Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. She has also served on many book selection committees, culminating with election to the 2013 John Newbery Medal Committee.

Cameron Mitchell

Cameron Mitchell is president and founder of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. A lifelong entrepreneur, Mitchell is an accomplished businessman, culinary expert, and nationally recognized restaurateur. His prominence in the industry increased exponentially in early 2008 when he guided the sale of two of his most popular concepts – Mitchell’s Fish Market and Mitchell’s/Cameron’s Steakhouse – to Ruth’s Chris for $92 million. Mitchell is committed both to his profession and to the community he calls home. He recently completed a two-year term as chairman of the board of trustees of the Culinary Institute of America, the first alumnus to do so, and actively recruits and mentors current and prospective students.

Among his service to numerous local boards and committees in Columbus, Ohio, where he lives with his family, is his exceptional dedication to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation. Cameron is also an active member of the Columbus Partnership.

Kevin Reeves

Kevin Reeves is Vice President of Natural Gas & Power Origination at BP. He previously held a position as Managing Director, Energy Trading & Marketing for American Electric Power Energy Partners. He attended the United States Military Academy and went on to serve as Captain of the U.S. Army’s Air Defense Artillery. He earned his Masters of Business Administration in finance from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Blake Thompson

Blake Thompson currently serves as Vice President for the Battelle/Ohio State University collaboration. In this role, he is responsible for helping create and implement ideas to build more joint research and economic development ventures between Battelle and The Ohio State University. Prior to assuming his current role at Battelle, Mr. Thompson was responsible for managing university partnerships as Oak Ridge National Laboratory while serving as an Associate Vice President at the University of Tennessee. He was also staff director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, and a legislative director to Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran.

Poe Timmons

Poe A. Timmons has over 25 years of financial leadership experience. She began her career with Deloitte, LLP and became the first woman partner in the Columbus, Ohio office of the firm in 1994. After Deloitte, she spent nine years as Vice President – Finance with Safelite Group, Inc., the nation’s leading auto glass repair and replacement company. Poe has also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Tween Brands, Inc., a NYSE public company. Poe has also served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for The Dispatch Printing Company.

Poe is a founder and board member of A Kid Again, a nonprofit, that provides ongoing activities for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Poe also serves as Chair of The Columbus Academy Board of Trustees, Past Chair of the Columbus State Community College Board of Trustees, and serves on the Ohio Health Finance Committee. She is a magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, a CPA, and is married, with three children.

Barbara C. Trueman

Barbara C. Trueman is the owner of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, majority owner of TrueSports, Inc. and former owner of Red Roof Inns. Mrs. Trueman received her degree from The Ohio State University College of Education and served as an educator. Mrs. Trueman has been involved with the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Development Advisory Council, The Ohio State University Foundation Board, the National Council for Ohio State Women, the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, Recreation Unlimited, the Greater Columbus Convention Center, and the Columbus Museum of Art. Mrs. Trueman has also been a board member of the J.M. Smucker Company, Bank One, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Abigail S. Wexner, Vice Chair

Abigail S. Wexner, lawyer and community volunteer is involved in philanthropic work nationally and locally, with a particular focus on children’s issues.

Mrs. Wexner is the chairman and CEO of Whitebarn Associates, a private investment company. She serves on the boards of LBrands, Inc., Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc., The Ohio State University, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, the Columbus Partnership, Pelotonia, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The Wexner Foundation, The Wexner Center Foundation and the United States Equestrian Team Foundation. She is founder and chair of the board for The Center for Family Safety and Healing, founding board member and vice chair of the board for KIPP Columbus and a past chair of the Governing Committee of the Columbus Foundation. Mrs. Wexner also held a presidential appointment to The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

From 2005 through July 2012, Mrs. Wexner served as chair of the board of directors for Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Under Mrs. Wexner’s leadership, Nationwide Children’s completed the largest pediatric expansion in our nation’s history and has been named to U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Hospitals list every year since 2006.

Prior to moving to Columbus, she practiced law from 1987 to 1992 with the London and New York offices of Davis Polk & Wardwell. She is a graduate of the Dwight School, New York City; Barnard College at Columbia University, Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa; and New York University School of Law.

Mrs. Wexner is married to Leslie H. Wexner, chairman and founder of LBrands, Inc. They are the parents of four children, ranging in age from eighteen to twenty-two years of age.